The government’s Help to Grow: Digital scheme, which provides smaller businesses with support in adopting digital technologies, recently opened for applications.

Under the scheme, UK-registered firms with between five and 249 employees who have been trading for over 12 months and are purchasing software for the first time, can apply for discounts of up to £5,000 off the retail price of digital accounting or Customer Relationship Management (CRM) software from approved suppliers. The scheme also allows businesses to access practical, specialised support and advice on how to choose the right digital technologies to boost their growth and productivity.

The government has also announced details of a £50m financial support package for the creative industries. This includes £21m to help the UK film industry build on its international success through a three-year UK Global Screen Fund; £18m to support innovative creative businesses outside of London, and £8m to help entrepreneurial, start-up video game developers create new games.

Culture Secretary Nadine Dorries described the UK’s creative industries as “truly world class” and said the funding demonstrates the government’s commitment to supporting their innovative work. She also said the funding would help businesses expand and create job opportunities right across the country.